Electronic clearinghouse

Abstract

Systems and methods for efficiently exchanging goods and services, including sharable goods and services, are provided. Certain aspects relate to electronic auctions and clearinghouses that may be configured to more efficiently distribute resources. A task regarding the performance of services and/or provisioning of goods may be generated without assigning a predefined or pre-specified individual to complete that task. In certain embodiments, any one of a plurality of individuals or a group of individuals (i.e., a business) may bid or accept a task. Pledgers may also provide compensation for the successful completion of a task. Tasks may be updated to reflect an aggregate compensation value.

1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 generating a first user-electable task based on a first set of criteria selected by a first user, wherein the first set of criteria comprises at least a first completion criterion;   receiving a first compensation value from a first pledger;   receiving a second compensation value from a second pledger;   calculating a total compensation value utilizing the first and the second compensation values;   receiving from a first worker an acceptance of the first user-electable task for the total compensation value;   associating the first task to the first worker; and   after acceptance, calculating a deduction amount to be deducted from an account of the first worker and provided amongst the plurality of pledgers upon a determination that the completion criteria is not met.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the deduction amount is subtracted from an account of the first worker upon acceptance. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the generated first task is devoid of a compensation value. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 after acceptance but before the first date, receiving an indication from the first worker requesting cancellation of the acceptance of the first user-selectable task; and   determining a prorated deduction amount.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second compensation value is subtracted from an account of the second user upon an electronic signal indicative that the second user has made a pledge. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 before acceptance, receiving an indication from the second user requesting cancellation of the pledge; and   adding the second compensation value to an account of the second user.   
     
     
         7 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 generating a first user-electable task based on a first set of criteria selected by a first user, wherein the first set of criteria comprises at least a first completion criterion;   receiving a first compensation value from a first pledger;   receiving a second compensation value from a second pledger;   calculating a total compensation value utilizing the first and the second compensation values;   receiving from a first worker an acceptance of the first user-electable task for the total compensation value; and   associating the first task to the first worker.   
     
     
         8 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 generating a first biddable task based on a first set of criteria selected by a first user, wherein the first set of criteria comprises at least: a first completion criterion and a first compensation value;   receiving at least a second compensation value for the first task from a second user;   if the second compensation value is associated with a second set of criteria from the second user, determining whether to update the first task with the second compensation value; and   updating the first task to reflect an aggregate compensation value by summing the first and the second compensation values.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first set of criteria comprises a deadline criterion. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 determining whether the second set of criteria comprises a second completion criteria; and   wherein if the second completion criteria encompasses the first completion criteria, then creating a second task available to a bidder of the first task.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second task is associated with the first task, such that any one of a plurality of bidders may bid on the first task, however, only a bidder of the first task is permitted to be a bidder on the second task. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second task is distinct from the first task such that a bidder that did not bid on the first task may bid on the second task. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein compensation according to the compensation value of the second task is configured to not be distributed until the reception of an electronic signal indicative that the first task has been completed. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 receiving a first bid from a first bidder agreeing to satisfy the completion criteria in accordance with the first compensation value;   receiving a first bid from a second bidder agreeing to satisfy the completion criteria in accordance with the second compensation value; and   associating the first bidder and the second bidder with the first task.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first bidder is associated with the first task according to the first completion criteria and the first compensation value. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second bidder is associated with the first task according to the second compensation value and any applicable second completion criteria. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 receiving a first bid from a first bidder;   assigning the first task only to the bidder, thereby completion of the applicable completion criteria will result in awarding the applicable compensation value to the first bidder.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 after assigning the first task to the first bidder, permitting the reception of a second bid from a second bidder;   determining that the first bidder either:   (a) did not meet the completion criteria; or   (b) abandoned the first task; and   based upon the determination, assigning the first task to the second bidder.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 receiving a second bid from a first bidder that satisfies the second compensation criterion;   associating the second bidder with the first task, such that both the first bidder and the second bidder are each associated with the first task; and   upon receiving verification of successful completion of the task, awarding compensation set forth in the second compensation criteria to either the first or the second bidder, but not both of the bidders.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 receiving a first task from a first bidder;   assigning the first task to at least the first bidder;   after assigning the first task to at least the first bidder, receiving a third compensation value;   recalculating the aggregate compensation value by combining the first, second and third compensation values; and   updating the first task to be associated with the recalculated aggregate compensation value.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 after reception of a bid from a bidder, calculating a deduction amount to be deducted from the first bidder and provided amongst the one or more users from which a compensation value was received upon a determination that the completion criteria is not met by a first date in the deadline criteria.